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The aim is to provide the startups with global real estate knowledge from the perspective of 120 mentors, explore pilots with Colliers’ people and clients, and refine business plans. To round off the 12-weeks there is a Demo Day where the companies present their work and service to clients, real estate industry leaders and technology investors.

This year’s Demo Day will be on 4 December.

Hennick wants “smarter, more personalised services” for Colliers and its clients

Jay Hennick, Colliers Global CEO and chairman said: “We set out on a mission to look for early-stage technologies across the real-estate value chain that deliver smarter, more personalised services to our clients and people.

“Building on the successes of last year’s inaugural class, in 2019 we are beginning to explore longer-term opportunities and more advanced solutions that could disrupt the industry which is helping us advise our clients on what is noise and what is real.”

Zach Michaud, Colliers vice president of strategic investments and global, said: “What we have with Techstars is a special partnership. Startups get exposure to Techstars’ global expertise in tech innovation and building accelerators combined with Colliers’ enterprising culture, real estate expertise and global network. It is the only global programme in the industry which combines a wide lens with a proprietary process that sharpens our focus as we identify targeted innovation.

“We’ve now established formal partnerships with four companies for the 2018 class, including Lane, Booqed, Upsuite and Basking, and continue to work with others towards their goals. We have gained tremendous energy and insight from our class participants and the programme and look forward to working with the incoming class.”